Abp. John Pays Tribute to Abp. Anastasios, Highlights Revival of Albanian Orthodox Church

LEFKADA, GREECE — Abp. John of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Abp. Anastasios, during the 5th Inter-Orthodox Monastic Synaxis at the Holy Monastery of Faneromeni on October 13, 2026, highlighting his role in rebuilding the Orthodox Church of Albania after decades of communist persecution.

The synaxis, held October 13–15, was organized by the Metropolis of Lefkada and Ithaca and the monastery under the auspices of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. Abp. John arrived on October 12, accompanied by clergy from Albania and a Byzantine choir from Tirana. Among those attending were Metr. Theophilos of Lefkada and Ithaca, Metr. Gregorios of Ankara, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Metr. Chrysostomos of Chalkis, representing the Church of Greece’s Holy Synod.

In his address, Abp. John recalled how Albania’s former atheist regime destroyed churches, expelled clergy, closed monasteries and forced believers to practice their faith in secret. He described families who preserved Christianity through whispered prayers and hidden icons, including sisters Marika and Dhimitra Cico, whose household hosted clandestine Divine Liturgies for years.

Abp. John recalled that Abp. Anastasios arrived in Albania in July 1991 to find a devastated Church and a small, faithful remnant. When his continued service was threatened in 1994, the Cico sisters pleaded with him: “For so many years we prayed that someone would come to love us; and now will you leave us?” Their appeal helped persuade him to remain and serve the country’s Orthodox Christians. As Abp. John recounted, Anastasios would tell his co-workers, “The Lord brought us here; we must love them."

Under Abp. Anastasios, the Church rebuilt or established hundreds of churches, schools, youth centers, health centers and charitable institutions, while forming more than 150 clergy through theological education. Abp. John emphasized that this renewal extended beyond church buildings to restoring prayer, catechesis, and confidence among generations who had grown up under atheism.

He concluded by calling the Church to preserve his predecessor’s legacy through unity, humility, service, and love without borders. “The best tribute to him is not praise, but the continuation of his spirit,” Abp. John said, describing the task as a personal debt of service rather than a responsibility of authority.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. John led the consecration of a new Bishop in Albania.